Movable Unit Of Refrigeration Producing Assembly Patents (Class 62/448)
  • Patent number: 7946125
    Abstract: A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry M. Visin, Guolian Wu, Marcus R. Fischer, Michele E. Wilcox, Martin D. Lewis, Kevin M. Chase
  • Patent number: 7913514
    Abstract: A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry M. Visin, Guolian Wu, Marcus R. Fischer, Michele E. Wilcox, Martin D. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20100275633
    Abstract: A water filter device including a filter unit to receive water from an external water supply source and to purify the received water, a storage tank unit to store the water purified through the filter unit, and a case to receive the filter unit and the storage tank unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Koog An, Sang Min Park, Young Gwi Park, Jong Yeob Kim
  • Patent number: 7730738
    Abstract: A cool air supply duct of a refrigerator includes a vertical duct unit installed in a freezing chamber or a refrigerating chamber of the refrigerator so that the length of the vertical duct unit can be adjusted in the vertical direction; and horizontal duct units installed on the vertical duct unit so that the length of the horizontal duct unit can be adjusted in the horizontal direction and provided with cool air discharge holes formed therethrough for discharging cool air. Since the cool air discharge holes are changed to positions desired by a user, the cool air supply duct cools a designated space of the freezing chamber or the refrigerating chamber of the refrigerator to a temperature lower or higher than those of other spaces, thus increasing convenience in using the cool air supply duct and improving the cooling efficiency of the cool air supply duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyong Bae Park, Jang Seok Lee
  • Publication number: 20100043455
    Abstract: A refrigerator and method of supplying coolant material are provided, the refrigerator including an interior and a main cooling loop, at least a portion of the interior includes a freezer section and at least a portion of the main cooling loop includes an evaporator. The refrigerator includes at least one detachable module having at least one connector, the detachable module configured to removably attach to a surface of the refrigerator, and a secondary cooling loop having at least one connector that corresponds to the at least one detachable module's at least one connector, wherein at least a portion of the secondary cooling loop is in thermal communication with at least one of the main cooling loop, the evaporator, and the freezer section, and wherein the secondary cooling loop is configured to be in fluid communication with the at least one detachable module through the corresponding at least one connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: STEVEN J. KUEHL, TUSHAR KULKARNI, GUOLIAN WU
  • Publication number: 20090217696
    Abstract: The bottle rack for the sample collector is made by injection molding two halves of the rack each of which has a matching surface and a bottle positioning surface. The matching surfaces are fastened together by placing the matching surfaces together back to back whereby locating members are spaced apart a sufficient. To warm a compressor to a starting temperature during cold weather, the ambient temperature is measured and when the ambient temperature is lower than a preset temperature and the compressor is not running, current is applied to the motor windings to warm the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: TELEDYNE ISCO, INC.
    Inventor: Robert R. Fiedler
  • Publication number: 20090199587
    Abstract: A vegetable bin (4) or a refrigerator comprises a floor, enclosing side walls and a substantially open top. The vegetable bin is placed within a refrigerated space beneath a lower shelf (6) to be cooled. The vegetable bin is furt provided with a lid (5) to cover said open top, and said lid is suspended underneath the lower shelf directly above t vegetable bin. In one condition the lid substantially seals the vegetable bin to help keep the vegetables fresh. In another condition the lid is lifted up a small amount at a rear portion of the lid, by operating control means (11), in order to allow the air within the vegetable container to exchange with the air of the refrigerated space. The air pathway is opened between the lid and the upper perimeter of the vegetable bin and is preferably located toward th rear of the refrigerated space proximate a circulating fan (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Roland Brodie Matthews, Bruno Sintive
  • Publication number: 20090145164
    Abstract: Systems include at least one substantially thermally sealed storage container, including an outer assembly including one or more sections of ultra efficient insulation material substantially defining at least one thermally sealed storage region, and an inner assembly including one or more interlocks configured to provide controllable egress of a quantity of a material from one or more of the at least one thermally sealed storage region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K.Y. Jung, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, William H. Gates, III, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090084117
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for guiding and supporting an evaporator structure with respect to a refrigeration unit. In one embodiment, a system can include a guide rail adapted to mount to a housing associated with a refrigeration unit, and a guide support adapted to mount to an evaporator structure, wherein the guide support can be aligned with the guide rail, and the guide support can maintain close proximity to the guide rail when the evaporator structure is moved adjacent to the refrigeration unit. In other embodiments, associated methods of use and installation for the system can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: Hoshizaki America, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradford Roy Czerwonky, Randy Edward Johnson, Yusuke Kawakami
  • Publication number: 20090071186
    Abstract: A telescopic slide for a refrigeration device is provided that includes at least two rails that can be displaced towards each other in the longitudinal direction while being guided one on the other. A support having a tolerance is mounted on the first rail. The contact surfaces between the support and the first rail have a large coefficient of friction in order to prevent the support from sliding to and fro on the rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventor: Karl-Friedrich Laible
  • Publication number: 20080156031
    Abstract: A distributed refrigeration appliance system for use in a residential kitchen and other locations in a dwelling and includes multiple separate refrigeration appliance modules, a central cooling system and a cooling circuit. The system can also include one or more satellite stations having a heat exchanger and arranged for supplying chilled air to one or more refrigeration appliance modules. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can include a thermal cascade cooling device to cool the module to lower temperatures than the cooling circuit can attain. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can be refrigeration/storage modules that can provide refrigerated, unconditioned or heated storage space. The central cooling system can be a vapor compression system having a refrigerant circuit connecting the modules. Alternately, the central cooling system can cool a secondary cooling medium circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nihat O. CUR, Steven John KUEHL, John Joseph VONDERHAAR, Diego BARONE, Lorenzo BIANCHI
  • Publication number: 20080156030
    Abstract: A distributed refrigeration appliance system for use in a residential kitchen and other locations in a dwelling and includes multiple separate refrigeration appliance modules, a central cooling system and a cooling circuit. The system can also include one or more satellite stations having a heat exchanger and arranged for supplying chilled air to one or more refrigeration appliance modules. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can include a thermal cascade cooling device to cool the module to lower temperatures than the cooling circuit can attain. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can be refrigeration/storage modules that can provide refrigerated, unconditioned or heated storage space. The central cooling system can be a vapor compression system having a refrigerant circuit connecting the modules. Alternately, the central cooling system can cool a secondary cooling medium circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: NIHAT O. CUR, STEVEN JOHN KUEHL
  • Publication number: 20080156032
    Abstract: A distributed refrigeration appliance system for use in a residential kitchen and other locations in a dwelling and includes multiple separate refrigeration appliance modules, a central cooling system and a cooling circuit. The system can also include one or more satellite stations having a heat exchanger and arranged for supplying chilled air to one or more refrigeration appliance modules. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can include a thermal cascade cooling device to cool the module to lower temperatures than the cooling circuit can attain. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can be refrigeration/storage modules that can provide refrigerated, unconditioned or heated storage space. The central cooling system can be a vapor compression system having a refrigerant circuit connecting the modules. Alternately, the central cooling system can cool a secondary cooling medium circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: NIHAT O. CUR, STEVEN JOHN KUEHL, JOHN JOSEPH VONDERHAAR, DIEGO BARONE, LORENZO BIANCHI
  • Publication number: 20080156033
    Abstract: A distributed refrigeration appliance system for use in a residential kitchen and other locations in a dwelling and includes multiple separate refrigeration appliance modules, a central cooling system and a cooling circuit. The system can also include one or more satellite stations having a heat exchanger and arranged for supplying chilled air to one or more refrigeration appliance modules. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can include a thermal cascade cooling device to cool the module to lower temperatures than the cooling circuit can attain. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can be refrigeration/storage modules that can provide refrigerated, unconditioned or heated storage space. The central cooling system can be a vapor compression system having a refrigerant circuit connecting the modules. Alternately, the central cooling system can cool a secondary cooling medium circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: NIHAT O. CUR, STEVEN JOHN KUEHL, JOHN JOSEPH VONDERHAAR, DIEGO BARONE, LORENZO BIANCHI, ENRICA MONTICELLI
  • Publication number: 20080120990
    Abstract: The bottle rack for the sample collector is made by injection molding two halves of the rack each of which has a matching surface and a bottle positioning surface. The matching surfaces are fastened together by placing the matching surfaces together back to back whereby locating members are spaced apart a sufficient distance. To warm a compressor to a starting temperature during cold weather, the ambient temperature is measured and when the ambient temperature is lower than a preset temperature and the compressor is not running, current is applied to the motor windings to warm the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: Teledyne Isco, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Fiedler, Frederick A. Nabity, Henry L. Walters
  • Publication number: 20070245767
    Abstract: A resin molded product may include a first wall part, a second wall part integrally molded with the first wall part such that the second wall part is extended from the first wall part in a direction crossing the first wall part, and a plate-shaped rib which is formed at a tip end portion of the second wall part and is perpendicularly protruded from a face of the second wall part on a side of the first wall part. The rib is formed in a part in a widthwise direction of the second wall part. The rib may be formed at both end portions in the widthwise direction of the second wall part. The resin molded product may be used as a frame for a damper device in a refrigerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventor: Hide Hara
  • Patent number: 7251954
    Abstract: A modular refrigeration unit has a condenser assembly, an evaporator assembly, and a bulkhead assembly positioned between the condenser assembly and the evaporator assembly. The refrigeration cabinet includes a condenser chamber adapted for receiving the condenser assembly. The condenser chamber has an insulated wall portion with a mating surface thereon. The refrigeration cabinet also has an insulated main chamber, in which air is cooled by the evaporator assembly. The bulkhead assembly is engageable with the mating surface to form a substantially air-tight seal between the condenser chamber and the main chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Habco Beverage Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Fee, Russell Sherlock, Larlkyn Lee, Marinko Tepic, Scott Brown
  • Patent number: 7234320
    Abstract: A modular refrigeration unit for use in a refrigeration cabinet has a condenser assembly, an evaporator assembly, and a bulkhead assembly positioned between the condenser assembly and the evaporator assembly. The refrigeration cabinet includes a condenser chamber and an insulated main chamber and mating surfaces defining an opening there between. The modular refrigeration unit includes a gasket assembly coupled to a periphery of the bulkhead assembly. The gasket assembly includes one vane mounted on a thermal breaker and engageable with the mating surfaces to form a substantially air-tight seal between the condenser chamber and the main chamber. The modular refrigeration unit is adapted for movement substantially transverse to the bulkhead assembly to engage the vane with the mating surfaces to form the substantially air-tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Habco Beverage Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Fee, Russell Sherlock, Larlkyn Lee, Marinko Tepic, Scott Brown
  • Patent number: 7216506
    Abstract: A refrigerator having a main body with at least one storage compartment and a component compartment having a rear opening, the refrigerator including a cover to cover the opening of the component compartment, the cover provided with air inlets and air outlets which are spaced apart from each other; a compressor and a condenser provided in the component compartment respectively corresponding to the air inlets and the air outlets; and a fan provided between the condenser and the air outlets, to expel air within the component compartment through the air outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youn-tae Shin, Eun-mog Yang
  • Patent number: 7188490
    Abstract: A refrigerator including a body provided therein with a storage chamber, an uplifted part projected from a rear portion of a top of the body so that a cooling room is formed to have a space extending above the storage chamber, a machine room provided above a front portion of the top of the body and in front of the uplifted part, a cooling unit removably disposed in the cooling room, an evaporator and a cold air circulating fan provided in a cold air passage of the cooling unit, and circulating passages formed in upper and rear portions of the storage chamber, respectively, to be connected to the cold air passage of the cooling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gi Joong Jeong, Jong Dal Lee, Myung Wouk Kim, Jae-Seung Lee
  • Patent number: 7185509
    Abstract: A refrigerator in which a machine room and an air cooling chamber having an evaporator, are placed at a top of a cabinet to maximize the storage capacity of lower sections of storage compartments. The refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a storage compartment therein. A top projection part is formed by projecting a rear portion of a top of the cabinet upward. The top projection part defines the air cooling chamber therein, such that the air cooling chamber extends upward from an upper portion of the storage compartment. The machine room is defined on the top of the cabinet at a position in front of the top projection part, and receives a compressor and a condenser therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Seung Lee, Myung Wouk Kim, Gi Joong Jeong, Jong Dal Lee, Ji Sick Hwang, Sang Gyu Jung
  • Patent number: 7117689
    Abstract: A hot and cold vending machine. The vending machine may include a product compartment, a refrigeration system, and a ventilation system in communication with the refrigeration system and the product compartment. The ventilation system may include a valve positioned in communication with the product compartment. A heater may be positioned about the product compartment. The valve and the heater may be selectively activated such that product compartment may be hot or cold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Arthur G. Rudick, Leonard F. Antao
  • Patent number: 7007492
    Abstract: A natural and environmentally friendly cooling system is disclosed. The cooling system includes an insulating enclosure, a block of ice within the insulating enclosure, a primary coil of tubing contacting the block of ice and beneath the block of ice for transferring fluid, a return coil of tubing beneath the block of ice for transferring fluid, and a floor pan for collecting water beneath the primary coil and the return coil. The enclosure can include sloped walls to facilitate freezing of water within the enclosure. Alternatively, the block of ice can be delivered via a service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventor: Richard A. Burger
  • Patent number: 6966198
    Abstract: A refrigeration and air-cycle air conditioning system is provided for a body defining interior space, preferably a stand alone refrigeration cabinet. The air conditioning system includes a unique combination of a compressor, intercooler, expander, motor and plenum to increase the performance of the system making it practical for use in commercial refrigeration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Davide Fausto Piccirilli, Thomas Paul Gielda, David Duong, Ed Smallhorn, Mitchell Vitale
  • Patent number: 6901769
    Abstract: A portable air chiller for providing air conditioning in a variety of environmental circumstances. The portable air chiller includes an insulated container capable of effectively containing a endothermic substrate, an in-flow vent and out-flow vent positioned to communicate air flow from the exterior of the container to the interior of the container. A fan located in the out flow vent facilitates conditioned air movement out of the interior of the portable air chiller. The interior of the portable air chiller houses a endothermic substrate holder which practically traverses the length and width of the interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Inventor: Ralf Blackstone
  • Patent number: 6848267
    Abstract: Disclosed is a packaged chilling system for providing chilled water to an air conditioning system for a building that includes: a duct system; an air handling system; and a water chilling system; wherein: the duct system is in operable communication with a building that has a plurality of rooms, at least one of the rooms having a sensor for detecting the room air temperature in the room, the duct system comprising at least one supply duct for directing low temperature air from the air handling system to the building and at least one return duct for directing high temperature air from the building to the air handling system; the air handling system includes a plurality of air handling units, each air handling unit comprising an air inlet for receiving high temperature air from the building, a cooling coil that includes at least one conduit through which chilled water flows, the cooling coil having multiple passes and positioned for heat transfer contact with the high temperature air, and a fan for increasing t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: TAS, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tom L. Pierson
  • Publication number: 20040144114
    Abstract: A refrigerated merchandiser including a display case and a cooling module. The display case includes a plurality of walls defining a cavity and a receptacle. A plurality of vertically spaced shelves are disposed in the cavity extending between the side walls. A display zone is defined above the top surface of each shelf for the display of merchandise. A back panel disposed in the cavity adjacent to base back wall defines a duct in a fluid communication with a plurality of elongated openings formed in the back panel. A turbulence generating element is disposed in each display zone adjacent to the elongated opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Terry J. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20040139763
    Abstract: A refrigerator including a body provided therein with a storage chamber, an uplifted part projected from a rear portion of a top of the body so that a cooling room is formed to have a space extending above the storage chamber, a machine room provided above a front portion of the top of the body and in front of the uplifted part, a cooling unit removably disposed in the cooling room, an evaporator and a cold air circulating fan provided in a cold air passage of the cooling unit, and circulating passages formed in upper and rear portions of the storage chamber, respectively, to be connected to the cold air passage of the cooling unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Gi Joong Jeong, Jong Dal Lee, Myung Wouk Kim, Jae-Seung Lee
  • Publication number: 20040139760
    Abstract: A refrigeration system module including a frame, a heating plate having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and a first heat transfer surface, a cooling plate having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and a second heat transfer surface, an expansion device disposed between the heating and cooling plates and in fluid communication with the heating plate fluid outlet and the cooling plate fluid inlet, and a hermetic compressor assembly. The compressor assembly is disposed between the heating and cooling plates and has a discharge outlet in fluid communication with the heating plate inlet, and a suction inlet in fluid communication with the cooling plate fluid outlet. The heating plate, the cooling plate, the expansion device and the compressor are fixed to the frame, and the first and second heat transfer surfaces each at least partially define an exterior surface of the module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventor: Dan M. Manole
  • Publication number: 20040134221
    Abstract: A modular refrigeration unit has a condenser assembly, an evaporator assembly, and a bulkhead assembly positioned between the condenser assembly and the evaporator assembly. The refrigeration cabinet includes a condenser chamber adapted for receiving the condenser assembly. The condenser chamber has an insulated wall portion with a mating surface thereon. The refrigeration cabinet also has an insulated main chamber, in which air is cooled by the evaporator assembly. The bulkhead assembly is engageable with the mating surface to form a substantially air-tight seal between the condenser chamber and the main chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: Habco Beverage Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Fee, Russell Sherlock, Larikyn Lee, Marinko Tepic, Scott Brown
  • Patent number: 6745588
    Abstract: An adjustable angle display device for holding and displaying objects includes a base portion, a display portion coupled to the base portion and adapted to pivot about a pivot point, and a positioning device having a first end coupled to the base portion and a second end coupled to the display portion, the positioning device adapted to adjustably position the display portion in a first position and a second position relative to the base. A method of providing an adjustable angle display device includes pivotally coupling a first end of a display portion to a base portion, providing a positioning device to selectively raise and lower a second end of the display device relative to the base portion, coupling the positioning device in operable engagement with the base portion and the display portion, and operating the positioning device to selectively adjust a display angle of the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventor: Shawn M. Kahler
  • Patent number: 6701739
    Abstract: A modular refrigeration system having an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, and expansion device fluidly connected by a plurality of conduits. The modular refrigeration system includes an integral base plate to which the evaporator, condenser, expansion device, and compressor are mounted. A compressor mount is formed in the base plate and includes at least one integrally formed stud extending from the base plate. The compressor has at least one mounting flange in which the stud is received. A fastener is affixed to the stud to secure the compressor to the base plate. A drain pan is formed in the base plate beneath the compressor to collect condensate. A drain basin is located beneath the evaporator and is fluidly connected to the drain pan via a trough. Condensate from the evaporator drains to the drain pan where it is evaporated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Robert L. Morse
  • Publication number: 20030230104
    Abstract: A modular refrigeration system having an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, and expansion device fluidly connected by a plurality of conduits. The modular refrigeration system includes an integral base plate to which the evaporator, condenser, expansion device, and compressor are mounted. A compressor mount is formed in the base plate and includes at least one integrally formed stud extending from the base plate. The compressor has at least one mounting flange in which the stud is received. A fastener is affixed to the stud to secure the compressor to the base plate. A drain pan is formed in the base plate beneath the compressor to collect condensate. A drain basin is located beneath the evaporator and is fluidly connected to the drain pan via a trough. Condensate from the evaporator drains to the drain pan where it is evaporated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventor: Robert L. Morse
  • Patent number: 6658883
    Abstract: The present invention teaches systems and methods for improving the thermal efficiency of an existing refrigeration system having a heat exchanger comprising: an enclosure having side walls for enclosing at least a portion of the heat exchanger and being removably attached to the existing refrigeration system; a venting system for flowing cooling air within proximity with the heat exchanger and releasing the cooling air to an outside environment in order to increase a release of heat from the heat exchanger, wherein the enclosure is operable for reducing heating of an inside environment by the existing refrigeration system, or by functionally channelling the heat so it increases heat when desirable while minimizing the impact to refrigeration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Sun-RG
    Inventor: John Rainbolt
  • Patent number: 6581389
    Abstract: A refrigerator. The refrigerator may include a cabinet and a refrigeration deck slidably positioned within the cabinet. The refrigeration deck may include a Stirling cooler unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventor: Arthur G. Rudick
  • Patent number: 6550270
    Abstract: A refrigeration device. The refrigeration device may include a refrigeration deck frame and a refrigeration deck removably positioned within the refrigeration deck frame. The refrigeration deck may include a sealing member and a seal compression mechanism positioned thereon. The seal compression mechanism may include a rotating member so as to urge the sealing member against the refrigeration deck frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventor: Arthur G. Rudick
  • Patent number: 6532757
    Abstract: A cooling device for installation in a furniture niche includes at least one thermally insulating container defining a cooling space and having a door for sealing the space, and a cooler having a compressor, a condenser, and a ventilator. The base has at least two sidewalls, a front region disposed near the door, a rear region, at least one air supply aperture at the front region, and an exhaust aperture at the rear region. The base houses the compressor, condenser, and ventilator. The base is disposed below the cooling space and is force ventilated by the ventilator through the air supply aperture and the exhaust aperture. The exhaust aperture is in at least one of the sidewalls, preferably, in the rear region of the base averted from the door. Preferably, the cooling device is installed in a furniture niche of a kitchen unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Holzer, Wolfgang Kentner, Jürgen Hirath
  • Patent number: 6519970
    Abstract: A refrigeration unit assembly includes: a compressor, and a condenser oriented in a wrap-around relationship with said compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alexander Rafalovich, Yurly Zelechenok, Ramesh Noon
  • Publication number: 20020134089
    Abstract: A refrigerator. The refrigerator may include a cabinet and a refrigeration deck slidably positioned within the cabinet. The refrigeration deck may include a Stirling cooler unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventor: Arthur G. Rudick
  • Publication number: 20020134088
    Abstract: An enclosure for a refrigerated space. The enclosure may include a thermosiphon and a Stirling cooler. The thermosiphon may include a condenser end and an evaporator end. The ends may be connected by a small diameter pipe and a large diameter pipe. The Stirling cooler may drive the thermosiphon to cool the refrigerated space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Arthur G. Rudick, David M. Berchowitz
  • Publication number: 20020124590
    Abstract: A refrigeration device. The refrigeration device may include a refrigeration deck frame and a refrigeration deck removably positioned within the refrigeration deck frame. The refrigeration deck may include a sealing member and a seal compression mechanism positioned thereon. The seal compression mechanism may include a rotating member so as to urge the sealing member against the refrigeration deck frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Applicant: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventor: Arthur G. Rudick
  • Patent number: 6434954
    Abstract: An air circulation system mounted within a chamber is provided. The chamber receives a product to be tested or processed. The air circulation system comprises an enclosure defined within the chamber with at least one inlet formed in the enclosure for receiving air from the chamber. A pair of counter rotating fans are mounted within the enclosure adjacent the inlet for circulating the air. Additionally, at least one air diverter plate is mounted within the enclosure adjacent the fans for diverting the circulating air substantially across the width of the enclosure. Furthermore, at least one air outlet is formed in the enclosure for introducing circulating air into the chamber about the product being tested or processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: QualMark Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Hess, Loddie Alspach, Wagdy Wahba
  • Patent number: 6405549
    Abstract: A portable heating and cooling unit intended to be used within a room or area of a building includes a cabinet supported on a plurality of wheels and a refrigeration circuit at least partially carried within said cabinet. The refrigeration circuit includes a first coil, a compressor, a second coil and a refrigerant reversing valve. In a cooling mode of operation, the first coil acts as an evaporator coil and room air is circulated by a first fan across the evaporator coil and delivered into the room. A second fan circulates room air through the second coil acting as a condenser coil and discharges the thus warmed air away from the room area to be cooled. In a heating mode of operation, the refrigerant reversing valve is activated to change the flow direction of the refrigerant through the circuit such that the first coil now acts as a condenser and The second coil now acts as the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: DO Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Peter Baffes
  • Patent number: 6378324
    Abstract: The thermally regulated storage container of the present invention comprises a cabinet housing with an one open face. A self-sealing and self aligning cover provides an environmental seal between an insulated storage area within the cabinet housing and an external environment. A modular environmental control unit is removably installed within the cabinet. This unit can control temperature, pressure, humidity or any other environmental condition. A ducting system within the cabinet mates with the environmental control unit. An environmental monitoring system monitors internal conditions of the storage container and provides an input to a control system operable to direct the modular environmental control. This ensures that the desired internal conditions are maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Crane Co.
    Inventors: Charles W. Percy, John P. Huffman
  • Patent number: 6345513
    Abstract: Disclosed herewith is a wall mounted air conditioner. The air conditioner comprises an air conditioner body installed in an installation space of a building and provided with an exhaust hole on its top. A frame is situated in the installation space for guiding the installation and removal of the air conditioner body. A connecting duct is fitted into the air conditioner body and the frame to connect the exhaust hole of the air conditioner body to a duct mounted in the building when the air conditioner body is moved into the installation space. The wall mounted air conditioner can be easily moved into an installation space for installation and easily removed from the installation space for repair or replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Soon Kim, Kyo-Sung Hwang
  • Patent number: 6209330
    Abstract: A modular air handling supply system and method for producing a supply of cooled air for cooling purposes is disclosed. The modular air handling supply system includes a module container and ducting for transporting the air within said module container and a blower in operational connection with the ducting, wherein the cooled air is propelled to at least one resource or facility, each of which are located external to the module container. The system has the capability of supplying a remote resource or facility with a variable volume and temperature of cooled air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: George H. Timmerman, Ralph J. Cushing, Bradley A. Weyeneth
  • Patent number: 6170285
    Abstract: A vending machine having a self-contained self-aligning refrigeration unit, a temperature sensing probe positioned in front of the machine behind a glass panel for sensing the temperatures in the machine near the product to be vended and having a monetary unit which slides in and out of the cabinet and rotates for easy access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Crane Co.
    Inventors: John P. Huffman, Charles W. Percy, Mark R. Henning, Gregory Scott Ivey, Ronald P. Petersen
  • Patent number: 6167714
    Abstract: A portable heating and cooling unit intended to be used within a room or area of a building includes a cabinet supported on a plurality of wheels and a refrigeration circuit at least partially carried within said cabinet. The refrigeration circuit includes a first coil, a compressor, a second coil and a refrigerant reversing valve. In a cooling mode of operation, the first coil acts as an evaporator coil and room air is circulated by a first fan across the evaporator coil and delivered into the room. A second fan circulates room air through the second coil acting as a condenser coil and discharges the thus warmed air away from the room area to be cooled. In a heating mode of operation, the refrigerant reversing valve is activated to change the flow direction of the refrigerant through the circuit such that the first coil now acts as a condenser and the second coil now acts as the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: DO Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Peter Baffes
  • Patent number: 6094934
    Abstract: A refrigeration machine for merchandising and displaying frozen articles. The refrigeration machine has a cabinet having a front wall, opposing side walls and an intermediate support shelf. A top portion of the front wall and the side walls extend above the intermediate support shelf to define a refrigeration unit compartment. The top portion of the front wall has a thicken area and a forward portion of the side walls also have thickened areas that are continuous with the thickened area of the front wall. The thickened areas form a boss which engages a divider wall of a refrigeration unit. The refrigeration unit is removable from the cabinet as a single member. The refrigeration unit has mounts for a compressor and a condenser so that an electrical tray and a condensate tray can be placed under the compressor and condenser. The cabinet has shelf supports that support shelves at varying degrees of inclination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas W. Rand, William E. Zellner, Robert J. Mercer, Robert T. Topper, Joseph F. Sanders
  • Patent number: 6082126
    Abstract: In order to cool a room, a cooling element fitted in the ceiling region is cooled to below the freezing point, preferably to about -40.degree. C., during the cooling phases so that condensate forming thereon freezes immediately. During regeneration phases when the room is not in use, the cooling element is defrosted and the melted condensate is caught in a condensate tray beneath the cooling element and drained via a discharge. The great temperature difference between the room to be cooled and the cooling element also makes it possible to obtain a strong cooling effect with a small cooling element, especially by indirect radiation exchange between the room and the cooling element via an intermediate ceiling. In addition, the air in the room is dehumidified since water vapour is deposited on and bonded to the cooling element in the form of ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Barcol-Air AG
    Inventors: Helmuth Sokolean, Klaus Roschmann